Superseding Cause

Pronunciation: SOO-per-SEED-ing KAWZ

Torts › Causation

Definition

An unforeseeable intervening cause that breaks chain of causation and relieves original defendant of liability. Must be independent of defendant's negligence and highly unusual. Foreseeable intervening causes do not supersede. Criminal acts and gross negligence of third parties may or may not supersede depending on foreseeability.

Related terms

• Intervening Cause — An event that occurs after the defendant's negligent act and contributes to the plaintiff's harm. A superseding intervening…
• Proximate Cause — A limitation on liability requiring that the harm suffered must be within the scope of risk created by…
• Foreseeability — Central concept in both duty and proximate cause analysis, limiting liability to foreseeable consequences and foreseeable plaintiffs. Under…

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